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The quick read: Kelowna International Airport will run a full-scale live emergency exercise on Tuesday, October 27, from noon to 4 p.m. The exercise tests the airport's systems and response capabilities alongside partner agencies. It is a drill, not a real emergency, so do not be alarmed if you see emergency vehicles at the airport today.

If you see fire trucks and emergency crews at Kelowna International Airport today, do not panic.

It is a drill.

Kelowna International Airport, known as YLW, will conduct a full-scale live emergency exercise on Tuesday, October 27, between noon and 4 p.m., according to an airport news release.

The exercise allows the airport to test its systems and response capabilities alongside its partner agencies, so everyone is ready to respond together if a real aviation emergency ever happens.

Preparedness is the point

Safety and emergency preparedness are central to the airport's operations, YLW chief executive Sam Samaddar said in the release.

He added that while the airport hopes never to face a major aviation emergency, being prepared is a responsibility the team takes seriously.

That is exactly the right attitude, and it is worth saying so.

Too often, public institutions discover their emergency plans do not work in the middle of an actual crisis.

Practising beforehand, with real crews and real equipment, is how you find the gaps when the stakes are low instead of when lives depend on it.

What to expect today

Expect to see emergency vehicles and responders around the airport between noon and 4 p.m.

The exercise is a training event, not a response to any incident.

Travellers passing through YLW today should simply be aware that activity around the airport may look unusual, and that it is all part of the plan.

No real emergency is underway.

Credit where it is due: an airport that rehearses for the worst, in public, is doing its job properly.

Sources: Kelowna International Airport news release, "Planned emergency training exercise taking place at YLW," October 2026.

Photo credit: Photo by Niklas Jonasson on Unsplash